Chapter 97

The late afternoon sun spilled softly through the sheer curtains, painting the living room in warm gold. It was one of those quiet days—no schedules, no cameras, no outside noise—just the gentle rhythm of home. And in the center of it all sat Jennie, cross-legged on the couch, holding the most important person in her world.

Ruby.

Six months old, bright-eyed, and currently very focused.

“Ruby…” Jennie tried to sound serious, but her lips were already twitching. “Baby, what are you doing?”

Ruby blinked up at her with those big, curious eyes—eyes that mirrored Lisa’s perfectly—and then, without hesitation, leaned forward again.

“Ah—!”

A tiny pair of hands squished Jennie’s cheeks together, and before she could react, Ruby latched onto one.

“Lisa!” Jennie called out, voice muffled and distorted. “Your daughter is eating my face again!”

From the kitchen came laughter—loud, unhelpful, and very much entertained.

“I told you, love!” Lisa called back, not even trying to hide her amusement. “She likes soft things!”

“This is not a toy!” Jennie protested, though she made no real attempt to pull away. Ruby was giggling now, little nose pressed into Jennie’s cheek, happily sucking like she’d found the most comforting thing in the world.

Lisa finally walked in, wiping her hands on a towel, only to freeze at the sight.

There it was again.

Ruby, completely attached to Jennie’s cheek.

Jennie, defeated but fond, just sitting there and letting it happen.

Lisa snorted. “Oh my god. She’s doing it again.”

“Help me,” Jennie said flatly, eyes narrowing.

“Nope.” Lisa plopped down beside them, clearly enjoying the show. “I wanna see how long this goes.”

Jennie shot her a look. “You’re unbelievable.”

Ruby pulled back for a second—just enough to beam a gummy smile at Lisa—before diving right back in.

“See?” Lisa pointed. “She loves it.”

“She’s going to grow up thinking human cheeks are food.”

Lisa laughed, leaning over to gently poke Ruby’s side. “Baby, that’s Mama’s face, not milk.”

Ruby paused again, considering this… and then ignored it completely.

Back to the cheek.

Jennie groaned. “This is my life now.”

But there was no real complaint in her voice. Her arms tightened slightly around Ruby, fingers brushing gently over the baby’s soft back. Despite the constant cheek assault, her expression softened.

“She only does it to you,” Lisa teased, resting her chin on Jennie’s shoulder.

“Exactly. Why?”

Lisa tilted her head, watching Ruby with quiet fondness. “Because you’re her comfort.”

Jennie blinked. “Comfort?”

“Yeah.” Lisa’s voice softened. “She likes your scent, your warmth… and apparently your cheeks.”

Jennie huffed, but her eyes betrayed her—melting just a little.

“Well, she’s lucky I love her.”

Ruby made a small, content sound, as if she understood.

For a moment, the room settled into something peaceful again. The kind of quiet that didn’t feel empty, but full—of love, of laughter, of tiny, ridiculous moments like this.

Then—

“Ow—Ruby, that’s my skin!”

Lisa burst out laughing again. “She’s getting stronger!”

“I can feel that!”

Ruby pulled away once more, looking very proud of herself, her tiny hands still squishing Jennie’s cheeks like they belonged to her.

“Ba!” she chirped.

Lisa clapped lightly. “Wow, so strong! So powerful! Destroy Mama’s face!”

Jennie gasped. “You’re encouraging her?!”

“Of course,” Lisa grinned. “She’s my baby.”

“Traitor.”

Ruby squealed, clearly loving the attention, and leaned forward again—but this time Jennie caught her just in time.

“Nope!” Jennie laughed, holding Ruby at arm’s length. “Break time.”

Ruby blinked, confused.

Then her lip trembled.

Lisa immediately leaned in. “Oh no. Uh oh. That’s the warning face.”

Jennie panicked. “Wait—no, no, no, okay fine—”

Too late.

Ruby let out a tiny, dramatic cry.

Jennie sighed in defeat. “Alright, alright, you win!”

The moment Ruby was back in her arms, she calmed instantly—like a switch had flipped. And, as if to prove her point…

Back to the cheek.

Lisa collapsed against the couch, laughing helplessly. “She trained you.”

Jennie rolled her eyes. “She manipulated me.”

“Same thing.”

Ruby hummed softly, completely content, tiny fingers curling into Jennie’s shirt.

And just like that, Jennie stopped complaining.

Her hand came up to cradle Ruby’s head gently, careful and instinctive. She leaned back into the couch, letting the moment settle.

“She’s so weird,” Jennie murmured, but there was nothing but affection in her voice.

Lisa smiled, watching them both.

“She’s ours.”

Jennie glanced at her, expression softening. “Yeah.”

A beat passed.

Then—

“She still needs to stop eating my face.”

Lisa laughed again, leaning over to kiss Jennie’s free cheek. “No promises.”

Ruby paused mid-suck, blinking at the sudden interruption.

And then, in a shocking twist—

She reached for Lisa.

“Oh?” Lisa raised a brow. “You want me now?”

Jennie’s eyes widened. “Oh my god—yes, take her!”

Lisa carefully took Ruby into her arms, curious.

Ruby studied her for a moment.

Then reached up…

And grabbed Lisa’s cheek.

There was a split second of silence.

Jennie smirked.

“Don’t you dare—”

Too late.

“Hey!—”

Jennie burst into laughter as Ruby latched onto Lisa’s cheek with the same enthusiasm.

“Oh my god!” Lisa laughed, trying not to move too much. “She’s doing it to me now!”

“Karma,” Jennie said sweetly.

Lisa shook her head, still laughing. “Okay, okay—I get it now. I understand your suffering.”

“Good.”

Ruby made a happy little sound, completely unaware of the chaos she caused.

Lisa sighed dramatically. “We created a tiny cheek monster.”

Jennie nodded. “And we can’t stop her.”

They both looked at Ruby.

Ruby blinked back.

Then smiled.

And somehow, neither of them had the heart to complain anymore.

Because even if their cheeks were under constant attack…

This—this little family, this soft, chaotic, love-filled moment—

Was exactly everything they ever wanted.